It has been said that a Teacher does not choose the student, but rather the Student chooses the teacher. Here is what one young man, Earl Generato, had to say about his teachers.

Sensei Michelle RattheMy first impression was that you were a caring person, exceptionally kind, but most of all, someone who not only has the compassion for her work but for her students as well. You live life, completely aware of the dangers, and yet, to it’s fullest. Each day being taught by you has been a great experience and has been influential in many decisions that I have made. It has been and always will be an honor to be your student. Every karate class has been a great experience for me. Thank you, Sensei, for supporting me and my sister in ever competition that we went to. We will never forget your wondrous teachings!

Sensei Mel ReyesMy first impression was that you were a very down-to-earth kind of person, someone respectable, and great at heart. You deal with the hardships in life without complaint and have a nice sense of humor. You’re a wonderful Sensei as well! My favorite memories would be when you congratulated me for my results at the Bushido and the wonderful life lessons that you gave us in class. Thank you Sensei, for being such a great inspiration to me!

Sensei Mitch FruchtMy first impression was that you were a kind person that has a serious side as well. You can make karate enjoyable, but at the same time, you know that life is not a game. One chance is all one person has. Thank you for teaching me that. You know that the world is a cruel place and yet, you can put a smile on your face during every karate class when your students walk in. You make teaching karate a priority in your life along with your other responsibilities. And for that, I find you, Sensei, very admirable. Every time you congratulated my sister and I at every tournament that we went to was a precious memory for me. Being your student has been and always will be a joyous moment in my life.

Sensei Chantalle JwiedMy first impression was that you were a respectable person, communicable, and a great person to be with! I have never forgotten your upbeat attitude and the way you make the class laugh. You taught me to always go through life with a smile. And for that Sensei, I am very grateful. Each week for four years, being your student, has been very memorable! Thank you for being a wonderful teacher and having taught me and my sister for all this time!

One of the most discussed topics in the world is the belt. Why is it important, if it is important at all, why bother with the rank, why so many colors, why do we care about it? These are questions that have created controversy throughout the years in the martial arts world. “I don’t care about the belt. I use it to tie my pants.”

Martial arts ranks are different, still they have one thing in common: they “mark” the ascension from beginner level to advance level. The modern life requires many compromises and one of them is considered by some, the “rainbow” made up by all the colors from white to black. In today’s world, we need to know how to set minor goals and know how long it will take to reach them to mark the achievement accordingly. We need the colors to see where we stand in the dojo, in our line between beginning and the new beginning (shodan rank). We should understand that these ranks are relevant in our system. Sometimes you will hear “a brown belt is not better than a green belt in another system,” this is because in every school things are done in a certain way. Ranks are awarded according to a certain set of values. When you receive a higher rank, its is because your instructor feels you are ready for new challenges. With a higher rank comes more discipline and dedication, accurate techniques, stances, and effort. It is an honor and an obligation.

Our system does not have the “rainbow” of colors, we don’t put stripes on every belt. Although we know the importance of progression, that is not the main focus; accuracy, ability, and consistency–being able to walk out of the dojo and KNOW what to do in a situation is the ultimate achievement.

“Many times I overhear comments about why we constantly go over the same move in class. I thought this story from our old Dojo newsletter might shed some light on why does Sensei make us do the same move over and over. I also asked that question in the beginning of my studies. It is reprinted with permission from Sensei Mel Reyes”

Sometimes your biggest weakness can become your greatest strength. Take, for example, the story of a 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating accident. The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn’t understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move. “Sensei”, the boy finally said, “shouldn’t I be learning more moves?” “This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you’ll ever need to know, the sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training. Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be over-matched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. “No”, the sensei insisted, “Let him continue.” Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his moved to pin him. The boy won the match and the tournament. He was champion. On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind. “Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?” the boy asked. “You won for two reasons,” the sensei answered. First, you’ve almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo, and second, the only known defense for the move is for your opponent to grasp your left arm.

The phonetic pronunciation is oooss. The “u” is silent. It’s like saying the word “loose” without the “L.”

“Osu is a word with many interpretations and purposes”

It can mean, “Yes, I understand,” when an instructor gives a command or demonstrates a technique. It can mean an acknowledgement when one enters the dojo. It can also mean a paid respect to the senseis and seniors in the dojo after a training session. When an instructor yells out for a student to execute a kata, the word osu can mean, “Yes I am ready!”

One can hear this cry throughout Japanese dojos. One could be studying judo, karate, kendo, aikido, or other numerous “do” disciplines. Osu is the contraction of two Japanese words, oshi shinobu. Oshi means to maintain, keep up, while shinobu means to bear, endure or persevere. The literal translation is to persevere in training with patience.

When one hears this cry from others and your seniors, it doesn’t have the same impact like when you experience it yourself. When one experiences difficulty in training, it would be very easy for one to let up or even quit. The individual should take the opportunity to mature through perseverance with patience.

In order to build strong minds and bodies, it is a necessity to undergo rigorous training. One may think they know their limit, but it is through the actual test of finding their physical limit is where you set the goal. The true test is being able to transcend your goals.

It is very easy to make an excuse not to train; it’s too cold; it’s too hot; I’m too tired; or it’s raining. I take the opposite approach and look at the perspective of it being an opportunity to improve myself. I’ve experienced countless times when I find myself feeling tired, but still go to class. By the end of class, I regret ever pondering not going. I feel re-energized and a sense of achievement. I feel self respect that I’ve allowed my body to heal and detoxify itself through the training I’ve endured. It’s through the hard training that one builds character, effort, sincerity, etiquette, discipline, and self control.

So, the next time you scream, ”Osu!” in class, it is the sound of character building. It may also be the sound of encouragement from your dojo. We are all constantly striving to improve ourselves. Building is what we do, we are all “a work in progress.” Osu!!

]]>http://tsunamidojo.com/2018/01/08/osu/feed/0Role of the Ukehttp://tsunamidojo.com/2018/01/08/role-of-the-uke/
http://tsunamidojo.com/2018/01/08/role-of-the-uke/#respondMon, 08 Jan 2018 19:24:10 +0000http://tsunamidojo.com/?p=487The post Role of the Uke appeared first on Tsunami Dojo.
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What is a uke? A uke is the person you are performing the technique on. Your uke can make or break you, in the sense that, he/she can make you look good or look sloppy. It is like a dance between two people. The tori (the person performing the technique) will lead and the uke will follow. Usually a good uke will know the technique, or will know how to adapt to sudden changes in direction. You may now be thinking that the uke is just going to fall because they know the technique, and they want to make their partner look good…Absolutely Not!

If your uke just falls down, then the tori looks like he/she is doing the technique half-ass. The reasoning behind “following the lead” is so that you don’t get hurt. Yes, Hurt. If the tori has to take you down because you are resisting, believe me he/she will do just that. The downfall to that is that you, the uke, put yourself at risk to injuries; especially if there are multiple maneuvers to the technique. Remember that there are several joint locks/controls used in techniques, as well as, take downs–your body is hesitant to changes of direction when resistant. A good uke will allow you to demonstrate the technique properly, without having to use full power. They will follow, wherever you decide to take them, showing your ability and flowing-ness to execute the technique, without injury to them.

The uniform worn by karateka ( one who practices karate) is called a karate gi and the belt is called an obi. The gi is relatively a new idea, having only been in use since the 1920’s. On Okinawa, practicioners originally wore the hakama, or split skirt. This resembled the kimono, but had pant legs for more freedom of movement. During the weapons seminar, tying the hakama is a requirement for the kobudo weapon, sai in our ryu, or school.

In Japanese and Okinawan societies, there is a very strict class structure. They are similar to the lower class, middle class, and upper class in America. Due to the fact that the upper class expected preferential treatment, Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan Karate, felt that it was necessary to implement a uniform to make everyone equal in the dojo. The color white was the only color and symbolized purity. This removed the prejudice between the classes in the dojo. Funakoshi was the first Okinawan to represent karate in Japan.

As for the obi or belt, rank was not originally associated to it. The belt rankings are also relatively new to karate. In the beginning, there were no rank certifications, only titles. In China, as in many kung fu schools, one is considered a master, a teacher, or a student. In Okinawa, the titles, Renshi , Kyoshi, and Hanshi were the only certifications awarded. The man credited for introducing the Dan/kyu ranking system is Dr. Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo, the gentle or soft way. Both Funakoshi and Kano were educators. Funakoshi was very impressed with Dr. Kano, that he decided to introduce the Dan/kyu system into his teaching and awarding of rank certification. Funakoshi awarded seven men with karate’s first black belt dan in 1924.

In 1937, the founder of our Goju Ryu system, Chojun Miyagi, was the first karate expert to be awarded the title of Kyoshi. The Dan/kyu system did not become in use on Okinawa until 1956. This was due to Chosin Chibana, founder of Shorin Ryu, and a man named Kanken Toyama who were the only ones recognized by the Japanese Ministry of Education to grant rank certification no matter what style of karate one studied. There have been numerous attempts to standardize karate, but due to so many offshoots and splintering of schools it has been an upward struggle for unification.

The original colors for the belts were white, brown, and black. In our dojo, we use white, green, purple, brown and black. The students are required to earn stripes which signify the different kyu ranks. The words dan and kyu mean man and boy respectively. The obi does not make the difference in the student. The black belt does not make you all knowing or that your karate is better. It is the skill and the character that earns rank and forms the student into a disciplined karateka. This discipline goes beyond the walls of the dojo. Osu!!

Today’s world is about speed. We have turned into a society of Speed: instant mash potatoes, meals ready to eat in fewer than sixty seconds, instant coffee and even waiting for the water to boil in a microwave takes too long. We want the feeling of immediate gratification. We want somebody telling us how good of a job we are doing or showing us by rewarding us in some fashion whether being a promotion, raises or awards.

The martial arts world is no different. The American culture has spoken. Just look at every strip mall and you will find a store front martial arts school. The window front usually has pictures, glossy pictures of aerial techniques, or glamour photos of the teachers.

Walk inside and they will sell you on everything from a gym bag to a key chain at discounted prices. The pictures of ancient warriors usually hang on the walls with oriental banners next to them as a tribute. They talk about how you can get different stripes on your belts, different belts and how quickly you succeed in this style. Then they talk about money, and the long term contract you must sign in order to join. This is American Karate at its worst, yes karate (they might not be teaching karate but that word is used and the public does not know the difference) that is what they are selling and Americans are buying. Within a 2 year span you can become a black belt, Instant Black Belt.

It is not all there fault, although they must share the blame. The students have taken over and want to learn everything NOW, and the teachers will skip lessons, take short cuts or even jam information too quickly only to have the student not remember any, or worse try to defend themselves and fail. The statement that next follows usually is my karate failed me, in reality you have failed your karate.

I remember when I first started Karate; my Sensei would talk about how one became a black belt. The white belt became so dirty from hard work that it turned black. I was a white belt for so long, I believed my journey would be white to black, no other color in between. I was wrong. I never felt sorry for myself, as other students from different dojos where being promoted ahead of me, when I started before them. I used that to my advantage. I absorbed the material, the lessons my Senseis taught. One night my Sensei asked about the white belt and if I was offended at being a white belt so long. My answer to him was No, it is not the belt that makes the person, it’s the person the makes the belt. He laughed and not long after I was promoted.

We must not cater to the whims of society; the history of martial arts is one of hard work, sacrifice, blood, and guts. The importance of karate is patience, we must teach above all that patience, practice, and hard work will not only give the student a new belt but a lifestyle.

This past month, a very exciting and most memorable event occurred at the Cooper City Dojo. The festive event was the release of the much anticipated new book of Master Joseph Kelljchian, “365 Days of the Warrior.” This is a book of priceless treasures. For the first time, Master Kelljchian shares his invaluable gems and pearls of wisdom and philosophies in a literary work. Master Kelljchian expresses his deepest thoughts as a warrior, revealing the concepts of the U.S.A. Goju Federation. The extraordinary facet of this book was Master Kelljchian’s open invitation to the USAGF family to contribute their own personal combative poems in the making of the book.

People are told not to judge a book by its cover. The cover of this book could not have been more appropriate. The eye catching red cover with the white cherry blossoms, personally painted by Master Kelljchian, piqued my curiosity. The cherry blossom (sakura) is the unofficial national flower of Japan. The cherry blossoms are not to be confused with fruit cherry trees. The blooming of cherry blossoms signifies the arrival of spring. The symbol of a cherry blossom is a bright future. The delicate petals of the flowers suggest purity, transience, melancholy, and has a poetic appeal. There is a dark meaning of cherry blossoms. The Japanese cherry blossoms bloom all at once and rarely last for more than a week. The manner in which the blossoms fall from the tree, are used to beautify the death of a samurai. To the samurai, there was no greater glory than to die on the battlefield like scattered cherry blossoms. As you can see, the cherry blossom exhibits the elements of Goju.

The book is written in a daily journal/calendar format with provocative thoughts, poems, meditations, and profound perspectives which can be used as a teaching tool in the dojo. Reading the book will stimulate a wide spectrum of emotions. The stories of personal triumphs against overwhelming demons, proves our virtue of , “nothing is impossible.” This book will enhance, inspire, and motivate not only your karate in the dojo, but in your entire view of life.

The night of the book signing ended with the authors reading aloud their individual work. The poem or story being read aloud by the author added another dimension that cannot be replicated. The diverse backgrounds of the authors were just a microcosm of today’s society. The hard work of Master Kelljchian and Sensei Tracy Broussard will be treasured for generations.

Kata (型) (literally: “form”) is a Japanese word describing detailed patterns of defense-and-attack movements practiced either solo or in pairs. Kata are used by most traditional Japanese and Okinawan martial arts, such as Aikido, Iaido, Jodo, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Kendo and Karate. This is the dictionary definition of the word, but far from the true essence of the word, kata. Many of today’s eclectic and mixed martial artists discard the concept of kata. They claim that it serves no practical purpose in the combative arts.

The practioners of Goju ryu are an exception to that philosophy. Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Goju ryu, systemized what he learned from Kanryo Higashionna. Goju practioners are real world combative fighters. Goju is a well rounded fighting system. We are stand up, ground fighting, deadly force, as well as alternative to deadly force, empty handed, and armed body bangers. From the rank of brown belt and higher, open targets are the groin and face. Many karate systems don’t even allow hard contact, let alone groin kicks. Shotokan, one of the major karate systems of Japan, founded by Gichin Funakoshi, is an example of no contact. The Korean art of Tae Kwon Do is another system that does not allow punches to the face and strikes to the groin.

Kata is the principal method of teaching technique before actual combat. Kata also prepares the mental state of a warrior. During kumite or free sparring, you train to sharpen your skills in timing, judging distance, execution and strategy. In kata, you can kill your opponent in your mind. You fully commit yourself to give up your life in your mind. You become committed to death. When you train for life and death, you attain a higher spiritual plane that will be expressed in your kata. Karate for beginners is purely physical. When two newcomers go at it, the stronger one will win. At the advanced level, the spirit becomes more important. The Goju fighters train to fight as if they are willing to give their lives. This gives them a tremendous advantage in breaking their opponent’s will to fight.

Karate ni sente nashi, means there is no first attack in karate. The true karate and kata trains your skills to recognize an attack and respond with a barrage of overwhelming counter strikes that will subdue your opponent, if not finish him. When practicing kata, your thought should be a primitive one, “ live or die.” This thought should reinforce your total commitment throughout the entire kata. Once in mokuso, prior to the break, your mind should teleport you to the field of combat, where you ‘ll encounter your attackers. You should be able to see, feel, hear and smell your enemies and their attacks. Master Peter Urban use to describe someone learning a kata as being in the “dance.” When other people can see your opponents, Master Urban described it as coming out of the “dance.”

The hachimaki is the headband used to exhibit an individual’s total commitment to learning Goju. This is karate ni sente hissho. Hissho means “guaranteed to win.” In fact, I’ve seen Japanese college students wear hachimakis with the characters for “hissho” prior to taking exams on campus.

Katas also have meanings. During the days of Higashionna and Miyagi, katas were the foundation of their training. Students would practice a kata for years, before advancing to the next one. There were hidden meanings in the techniques. Bunkai refers to the sense of interpretation of the moves in a kata. Bunkai is sometimes self-evident, sometimes elusive, depending on the techniques in question, the one preceding and following it. There are stages of depth of comprehension of bunkai only reached through the passage of time, the rewards of which are priceless.

The other unique aspect of Goju katas are the expression of the elements, earth, wind, fire, water, and the void. The challenge of being able to exhibit one or some of the elements in a kata is easier said than done. Goju is an internal system, as well as external. The external aspect erodes as we get older. The internal aspect is much more difficult to develop, can get stronger, even with age. Two internal or heishu katas of Goju are Tenshoa and Sanchin. The Sanchin kata is the signature kata of Goju, although there are versions of it practiced in Isshin ryu, Kyokushin and Uechi ryu. To witness a Goju karateka perform Sanchin, one will not forget the explosive breaths used during the kata..

Sanchin is known as one of the oldest kata in Karate-do. It literally means “three battles,” or “three conflicts.” It can also be translated as “three points” or “three phases.” Certain legends attribute the creation of Sanchin to Bodhidharma in the early sixth century. Sanchin kata seeks to develop three elements at the same time.

The mind, body, and the techniques

The internal organs, circulation and the nervous system

The three core locations where chi or ki can be found.

The top of the head (tento)

The diaphragm (hara)

The lower abdomen (tanden)

Sanchin is an isometric kata where each move is performed in a state of complete tension, accompanied by powerful, deep breathing (ibuki) that originates in the lower abdomen (tanden). The practice of Sanchin kata not only leads to the strengthening of the body, but it also aims at the development of the inner power (ki) and the coordination of mind and body. It also emphasizes on basic footwork, hand techniques as well as basic blocking techniques.

Kanken Toyama, a contemporary of Chojun Miyagi, and the founder of Shudokan karate, once experienced a brutal attack from several U.S. servicemen, post- World War II. He knew not strike back, but was able to endure the attack with little or no injuries to himself. In Okinawa, it is said the individual’s spirit is disturbed when harming another individual. Toyama also stated: “ Secret techniques begin with basic techniques; basic techniques end as secret techniques. There are no secrets at the beginning, but there are secrets at the end. The key to success is hard training.”

It seems karate is practiced in many schools as a sport. Many people would like to see karate as an event in the Olympics. Unfortunately, the Olympic Committee’s interest is in sport competition. Goju Ryu karate is not a sport, it’s an art. An art is a discipline. The more one practices, the more one’s knowledge deepens. It is not “a game,” but requires serious effort, patience, time and commitment.

A sport athlete’s career is over at a certain age, while a martial artist may train and improve all of his life. His body may slow down, but his mind and spirit quickens. The movements maybe subtle, but more effective. While athletes look to sport committees, martial artists look to the “Masters.” They’ve learned to control themselves, as well as control situations. They’ve earned self respect, and by training with others, respect others. By studying a martial art, you learn much more than just fighting.

The goal in the martial arts is not a gold medal. It’s the journey one experiences. From consistent training, one will reap many benefits. Improved health, self confidence, self control, self discipline, self awareness, concentration, coping with stress, and self defense skills, are just to name a few. These are some of the tools one acquires in the martial arts. Tools can have more than one application. Once these tools are acquired, they can be used in a variety of situations in life. The spiritual aspect is just as important as the physical aspect. When one has the ability to turn off pain and endure, one can transcend one’s own expectations and goals.

Another aspect in Goju training is the sempai/kohai relationship. Sempais are the seniors, while kohais are the juniors. The status of being a sempai is a revered status. It is also a position of great responsibility. As a sempai, one enforces the discipline when there has been a sign of a lack of respect. The code of conduct is carried out in both kyu and dan ranks. The sempai is also a mentor. The kohai learns not only skills and codes of conducts, but they also learn their obligations to the dojo.

The word, samurai, means one who serves. Regardless of what one has accomplished in their life outside the dojo, when one sets foot inside the dojo, you’re simply just a man or a woman. We have many powerful people of influence in the dojo, you would never know it during class. They have learned to be modest with their physical and influential prowess. This is one of the noble characteristics of a Goju karateka.